State Dept. Pressed on Protecting Christians After Gaza Church Strike

Israeli Strike on Gaza Church

• 🎯 A journalist questioned the State Department spokesperson regarding an Israeli airstrike on a church in Gaza that resulted in civilian deaths.
• 🕯️ Three people were killed, including an 88-year-old woman, at the Roman Catholic Church.
• 🕊️ The incident occurred despite the State Department and White House prioritizing the protection of minorities, especially Christians.

Official Response and Investigation

• 😔 The State Department spokesperson shared condolences for the civilian deaths at the church.
• 🔍 Israel has been asked to investigate the strike and ensure the safety of all civilians, including Christians.
• 🤝 The Israeli Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow over the damage and civilian casualties, stating the IDF is investigating the circumstances, which are still unclear.
• 📜 The Israeli Foreign Ministry affirmed that Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to them or to uninvolved civilians.

Presidential Involvement and Global Expectations

• 📞 President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressing his displeasure with the incident and reinforcing his commitment to peace.
• 🌍 The spokesperson noted that such events reinforce global expectations for peace and that the IDF is making feasible efforts to mitigate harm to civilians and religious sites.
• 📢 The results of the IDF investigation will be published transparently.